New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-05
PRICE THREE CENTS
RECTOR WARD FOUND DEAD
HE TOOK AN OVERDOSE OF CHLoRAI
WHILE IN BED.
THE BOTTLE AND NOTE BESIDE HIM-JUDGn
DREW. WITH WHOM HE WAS STAYING, DOES
NOT THINK HE MEANT TO KILL HIM

NOT THINK HE MEANT TO KILL HIM
sELF-MRs. WARD NOT INFORMED.
The Rev. Charles w. Ward. the Engiewood rec.
tor who shot his wife recently. died yesterday
under circumstances which suggest snicide at the
homo of his friend and counsel, Judge j. B. e.
Drew. at Rockand Lake.
At .4:3O p. m. DR.. j. G. Wilson, of Washing
ton, brother-in-law of Judge Drew, found Mr.. Ward
lying dead IN his bed and by his side was an empty
three-ounce bottle which last night was filed with
ohloral by local druggist Mr.. Ward had been
taking chloral in eight grain doses for some time
under the directions of DR.. Banks of Engewood.
On the table by the bed of the dead man was found
a note in Wards handwriting addressed to Dr. Will.
son and now in the possession of Coroner Ackerson.
Mr.. Ward said in the note that the choral was
weak that he bad been obliged to take it all the
previous night. The note was dated a m. Last
night Judge Drew said that since February %. the
date of the shooting, Ward had not slept. except
under the influence of narcotics, and recently bis
friends had sat up with him until late every night.
DR.. Wilson said that yesterday morning. needing
Mr.. Wards special request he did not disturb him.
DR.. Wilson sleeps in a room adjoining Mr. Wards.
and last saw the clergyman alive about midnight,
when Mr.. Ward said:
al will 60 to bed now and have long rest
At intervals during the morning Dr. Wilson
heard his patients heavy breathing. but u was
p
After knocking ten minutes at Wards door nc found
them locked and being alarmed opened the door
leading to his own room.
He was Mortified when he saw Mr., Ward clad in
night shirt lying dead upon his bed His face
had peculiar pallor upon 1t and DIR. Will
hastily felt his pulse CONVINCED
summoned sum Dr. House, Of Rockland Lake. Shortly
afterward Coroner James w. Ackerson took charge
will hold an inquest to-day at $3.50 a. 10. I. F.
Tasman, a Nyack undertaken. reached Judge
Drew's house last night and took charge. Of tho
body. which lay in aroom over Judge Drew's draw
Ward came to Judge Drews house three weeks
ago For s six b% s s
field, Conn, asylum. They fell through and
later It was almost decided that he should
90 to the Morrstown asylum.
Judge Drew telegraphed last night 70 Mr.: Half.
Mrs. Ward was not informed, Ward was visited
Ha little daughter Bessie. They left RocEand Lake
on Monday. Judge Drew said that Ward came to
os 70 80 tSs ths would
near Judge Drew and assist in the preparation fox
the defence in the criminal proceedings and the sne
| brought by Mrs. Ward for separation. Judge Drew
noticing his continued state of meutal depression,
prevailed oD Mr. Ward to remain as guest al
his own house, finding that it was Impossible for
| him to transact any business. On Judge Drewa
suggestion that Wards mental condition would ba
| improved by treatment at private asylum,
arrangements were made and practically completed
Yesterday for an examination of his condition by
| some of the best physicians IN New-lork city.
| Judge Drew said last night:
II had not been able to prepare his legal an.
swers because of his affct1on, and wrote u
Cortlandt Parker, Mrs. Warps counsel, that | did
not think that Mr. Ward in his present condition,
was mentally fit to reply to the charges against
him.
ship between himself and Ward, and SAID
in a husky voice: "Mr. Ward was q
iovable man. Then turning to a
corner of the library he said: =" There Is speci-
| men of his work In modelling
| The work referred to was finely sculptured bust
| called "Sybil," executed by Mr.. Ward IN Rome In
1873 and exhibiting mucb artistic talent. -
Dr. Wilson, although comparative stranger 10
Mr. Ward, also testified warmly to the clergymans
good qualities
When the question of suicide was referred to.
Judge Drew, DR.. Wilson and DR.. House were all re-
ticent, Judge Drew said that 1t was question ior
the Coroner TO decide, but that lie dld not oeneve
Mr. Ward took the overdose of poison with suicidal
intent Judge Drew maintains that the note leit
by Mr. Ward a few hours before death sustained
his theory. The jury empannelicd by coroner
Ackerson Is composed of the best citizens OF Rock
land Lake.
| Dr. Wilson thinks that Mr. Ward had been dead at
least three hours when found.
The affair created much excitement in Rock-
Lake. Oqs the "1S RIs aS
o'clock in the evening, hockland Lake
being cut off from all railroad telegraph and teie
| phone communication. .
The family of Aaron J. Yanderpoe with whom
Mrs Ward is staying at No. West Sixteenths1,
this city, had heard nothing of Mr. Wards death
when a tribune reporter called there last even
ing An operation was performed on mIs.
Ward Tuesday and several pieces
iaw She was much exhausted yesterday from the
effects of the operation and lt was deemed best oy
Mr.. Vanderpoeis family 10 keep the news OF hei
husbands death from her for the present, at least
|